Disposable cleaning system

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device is provided including a front layer including a capture material, an active material adjacent the capture material, a juncture line where the capture material joins the active material, and a front layer perimetric edge; and a backing layer having a backing layer perimetric edge, wherein at least a portion of the backing layer perimetric edge is coupled to the front layer perimetric edge such that the front and backing layers define an interior space that is at least partially enclosed. Also provided is a method for cleaning a surface, the method including situating a cleaning device having a front layer including a capture material and an active material, and moving the cleaning device along the surface such that the capture and active materials both contact the surface.

BACKGROUND

This invention pertains to a device for controlling dirt, lint, andanimal detritus on surfaces such as clothing, upholstery, drapery, andcarpeting.

Dirt and lint on fabric-like surfaces are common problems. Also, ownersof pets and other animals usually face the prospect of repeatedly andoften cleaning fur, hair, and dander from various surfaces includingcarpets and furniture. Various devices exist for collecting dirt, lint,and fur, hair, and dander shed by animals, including devices that employadhesive rolls to which the dirt, lint, fur, hair, and dander may stick,and durable devices such as brushes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There are disadvantages to using such devices. Adhesive-based devicestend to quickly become matted with fur and hair, greatly decreasingtheir effectiveness. Comb- and brush-like devices can miss much of thedeposited detritus. Durable devices need to be cleaned frequently.Infrequent use of such devices due to their ineffectiveness results in abuild-up of lint, and in hair and fur becoming deposited throughout therange of an animal.

To solve these problems, a new disposable lint and hair removal systemis required.

The elements of the lint and hair removal system are generally a frontlayer that includes capture material and an active material, and a shapethat allows for ease of use. Such a device allows a consumer to collectlint, pet hair, and the like from surfaces.

More specifically, the present invention provides a disposable lint andhair removal cleaning device including a front layer including a capturematerial, an active material adjacent the capture material, a junctureline where the capture material joins the active material, and a frontlayer perimetric edge; and a backing layer having a backing layerperimetric edge, wherein at least a portion of the backing layerperimetric edge is coupled to the front layer perimetric edge such thatthe front and backing layers define an interior space that is at leastpartially enclosed.

The capture material may be a hook, brush, or comb-like material. Theactive material may be absorbent, a high-friction material, a siliconematerial, or a laminate with elastomeric properties, and the activematerial may include a cleaning solution, a stain guard, a deodorant.The backing layer may be a nonwoven, elastomeric, or a hook material.The device may be a mitt, a wipe, or a cleaning tool cover.

The present invention also provides a method for cleaning a surface, themethod including situating a cleaning device having a front layerincluding a capture material, an active material adjacent the capturematerial, a juncture line where the capture material joins the activematerial, and a front layer perimetric edge, and a backing layer havinga backing layer perimetric edge, wherein at least a portion of thebacking layer perimetric edge is coupled to the front layer perimetricedge such that the front and backing layers define an interior spacethat is at least partially enclosed. The method also includes moving thecleaning device along the surface such that the capture and activematerials both contact the surface.

The present invention also provides a cleaning device including a frontlayer including a capture material, an active material adjacent thecapture material, a leading edge, and a trailing edge, wherein theactive material is positioned adjacent the leading edge, and wherein thecapture material is positioned adjacent the trailing edge. The devicealso includes a backing layer having a backing layer perimetric edge,wherein at least a portion of the backing layer perimetric edge iscoupled to the leading and trailing edges such that the front andbacking layers define an interior space that is at least partiallyenclosed.

The present invention also provides a method for cleaning a surface, themethod including situating a cleaning device having a front layerincluding a capture material, an active material adjacent the capturematerial, a leading edge, and a trailing edge, wherein the activematerial is positioned adjacent the leading edge, and wherein thecapture material is positioned adjacent the trailing edge; and a backinglayer having a backing layer perimetric edge, wherein at least a portionof the backing layer perimetric edge is coupled to the leading andtrailing edges such that the front and backing layers define an interiorspace that is at least partially enclosed. The method also includesagglomerating detritus by moving the cleaning device along the surfacesuch that the active material contacts the surface; and collecting theagglomerated detritus by moving the cleaning device along the surfacesuch that the capture material contacts the surface.

The present invention also provides a cleaning device including a frontlayer including a capture material and an active material adjacent thecapture material, wherein the front layer has a juncture line where thecapture material adjoins the active material and a front layerperimetric edge, wherein the front layer is a laminate including aliquid impermeable material, wherein the capture material is hookmaterial positioned substantially on one side of the juncture line, andwherein the active material is positioned substantially on another sideof the juncture line. The device also includes a backing layer having abacking layer perimetric edge, and wherein at least a portion of thebacking layer perimetric edge is coupled to the front layer perimetricedge such that the front and backing layers define an interior spacethat is at least partially enclosed, the interior space having an openend; and a sealing mechanism positioned adjacent the open end.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent to those skilled in the art in view of the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cleaning device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another aspect of the cleaning device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the device of FIG. 1, including a thumbspace.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the device of FIG. 1, including a fingerloop.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the device of FIG. 1, including a fingerslit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the device of FIG. 1, including a fingerspace.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the device of FIG. 1, including strap-likebacking layer.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the device of FIG. 1, in use inconjunction with a cleaning tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention described herein is a disposable cleaning device 10 forthe removal of lint, dirt, hair, fur, etc. from a surface. Such acleaning device 10 allows a user to clean a surface, particularly afabric or fabric-like surface. For cleaning purposes, the user needs tocapture primarily lint, dirt, hair, fur, dander, debris, and loosematerial, collectively referred to herein as detritus.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a cleaning device 10 of the presentinvention. The device 10 includes a front layer 15 and a backing layer20. FIG. 1 shows the cleaning device 10 from side of the front layer 15.The device 10 may have a closed end 22 and an open end 23. The device 10has a leading edge 31 and a trailing edge 32. For purposes ofillustration, and not for purposes of limitation, the cleaning device 10is described as a mitt. The same device 10, however, may be described asany other suitable form of a cleaning device 10, including an enclosureor attachment for a cleaning tool.

The device 10 includes a front layer 15. The front layer 15 may be ofany suitable shape, but is preferably generally planar and is furtherpreferably generally rectangular or oblong. The front layer 15 has aperimetric edge 25 extending around the front layer 15. The front layerhas a longitudinal axis 24 extending longitudinally along the frontlayer. In one aspect of the present invention, the front layer 15 isgenerally the size of a human hand held flat on a surface. In anotheraspect of the present invention, the front layer 15 is generally thesize of the four fingers of a human hand. In still another aspect of thepresent invention, the front layer 15 is generally the size of a humanfinger. In an alternative aspect of the present invention, the frontlayer 15 is generally the size of a cleaning tool. In general, the frontlayer 15 may be of any suitable size, with the size preferably selectedto be suitable for the intended use of the cleaning device 10.

The front layer 15 performs the cleaning function. The front layer 15includes a capture material 26 and an active material 28.

The capture material 26 may be generally oblong in shape, and in oneaspect of the present invention is oriented to extend longitudinallyalong the front layer 15, positioned on one side of the longitudinalaxis 24. In other aspects of the present invention, the capture material26 may cover from 2 percent to 100 percent of the front layer 15. Thecapture material 26 has a longitudinal axis 29 that is generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis 24. The capture material 26 ispositioned adjacent the trailing edge 32.

In another aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, thecapture material 26 extends across the front layer 15 and intersects thelongitudinal axis 24 in a generally perpendicular orientation. In oneaspect of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the capture material 26is positioned adjacent the closed end 22 of the cleaning device 10. Inanother aspect of the present invention (not shown), the capturematerial 26 is positioned adjacent the open end 23 of the cleaningdevice 10.

In one aspect of the present invention, the capture material 26 is ahook material. Hook material and hooks are used generically herein todescribe material or the protrusions thereon including hooks, stems,mushrooms, or any other suitable shape. The hook material may includerelatively small and flexible hooks. Hook material is commonly availablein hook and loop material such as that manufactured as VELCRO-brand hookand loop fasteners by VELCRO U.S.A., Inc. The hook material is typicallyformed in a continuous sheet using continuous injection molding, and thehook material typically includes hooks, knobs, stems, protrusions, orsome combination of these. Micro-hook material may be used and isconsidered surface-friendly because the hooks are designed to berelatively small and feel soft to the touch for the average user. In oneaspect of the present invention, the ends of the hooks are not exposedat the surface, so the hook material does not feel abrasive or sharp. Asis known in the art, the manufacturer may tailor the modulus of thehooks by the polymer that is chosen to manufacture them. One example ofa polymer used in micro-hook material is linear low-density polyethylene(LLPE). One example of a hook or stem size in a micro-hook material is astem height of 0.013 inches.

Conventional hook and loop fastening systems are, for example, availableas VELCRO hook and loop fastening systems. In a particular aspect of thepresent invention, the capture material may be a micro-hook materialsuch as that distributed under the designation CS200 by 3M Corporation abusiness having offices in St. Paul, Minn. Another suitable micro-hookmaterial is distributed under the designation VELCRO CFM-61, and isavailable from VELCRO U.S.A., Inc., a business having offices inManchester, N.H.

Referring to FIG. 1, the front layer 15 also includes an active material28. The active material 28 is positioned on the front layer 15 togenerally cover the area not covered by the capture material 26. Thecapture material 26 may abut the active material 28 to form the frontlayer 15, or the capture material 26 may overlap the active material 28in the front layer 15. The intersection of the capture material 26 andthe active material 28 is a juncture line 33. In another aspect of thepresent invention, the active material 28 may extend across the entirefront layer 15, with the capture material 26 covering a portion of theactive material 28. The active material 28 is positioned adjacent theleading edge 31.

In one aspect of the present invention, the active material 28 acts tocause hair and related substances to ball or agglomerate. The activelayer 28 acts to reduce the affinity the detritus has for the surface onwhich it resides and to increase the affinity the detritus has foritself, resulting in the detritus agglomerating. Various materials canincrease this effect of the active layer 28, and wetting or dampeningthe active layer 28 can also increase this effect. Once the detritus hasbeen agglomerated, the detritus is much easier to collect using thecapture material 28, thus removing the detritus from the surface.

To this effect, the active material 28 may be a static-providingmaterial such as 100% polyethylene (PET) spunlace and Electrec nonwovensavailable from Kimberly-Clark Corporation. In another aspect of thepresent invention, the active material 28 may be a high-frictionmaterial such as loop material available in various blends from VelcroUSA or a hydroknit spunbond such as PRT3405 Premiere Hydroknit availablefrom Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

In another aspect of the present invention, the active material 28 mayinclude a silicone in addition to or instead of hook material, such asone hundred percent silicone gel sheeting. The silicone in the activematerial 26 acts to agglomerate hair and related material.

In another aspect of the present invention, the active material 28 maybe a hook material of any suitable kind, including those described abovewith respect to the capture material 26.

In another aspect of the present invention, the active material 28 maybe a laminate with elastomeric properties such as a stretch-bondedlaminate (SBL) available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation withpre-stretched elastic filament and meltblown material with one ply ofspunbond material on each outer surface and a basis weight ofapproximately 70 grams per square meter, but any suitable may be used.

In another aspect of the present invention, the active material 28 maybe an absorbent material. Suitable absorbent materials include spunlacePET and polypropylene (PP) blends (e.g., 50% rayon, 50% PET), hydroknitspunbond such as PRT3405 Premiere Hydroknit, and double re-creped (DRC)material, all available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation. An absorbentactive material 28 may used in an initially dry condition to absorbliquids from a surface. In another aspect of the present invention, theabsorbent active material 28 may be dampened by a user with water oranother substance to aid cleaning with the cleaning device 10. Theactive material 28 may act, particularly when it is moistened, to causehair and related material to ball or agglomerate, which facilitatescollection of the hair and related material by the capture material 26.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the active material 28may be pre-moistened by the manufacturer with water or anothersubstance. For example, the active material 28 may include a cleaningsolution to aid the effectiveness of the cleaning device 10. Thecleaning solution may be a cleaner such as FOUR PAWS Super StrengthStain and Odor Remover, which includes water, natural enzymes, and milddetergent (from Four Paws Products, Ltd., Hauppauge, N.Y.), or NATURE'SMIRACLE Stain & Odor Remover, which includes water, natural enzymes,isopropyl alcohol, and natural citrus scent (from Pets 'N People, Inc.,Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.), or RESOLVE Carpet Spot & Stain CarpetCleaner (from Reckitt Benckiser, Wayne, N.J.). The cleaning solution maybe a pet shampoo. The cleaning solution may be a stain cleaner and stainguard such as SCOTCHGARD Oxy Carpet Cleaner with Stain Protector thatincludes water, 2-butoxyethanol, hydrogen peroxide, and surfactants(from 3M Corporation, St. Paul, Minn.). In the case of using thecleaning device 10 to clean a fabric surface, the cleaning solution mayinclude a pet repellant such as SIMPLE SOLUTION Indoor/Outdoor Repellentfor Dogs and Cats, which has as an active ingredient methyl nonyl ketone(from The Bramton Company, Dallas, Tex.).

The cleaning solution may be an antimicrobial, which may be deposited onthe active material 28 by a spray or dip application or by inclusioninto the melt from which the active material 28 is manufactured.Examples of suitable antimicrobials include quatemary ammonium compoundssuch as 3-trimethoxysilylpropyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride(AEGIS); poly cationic chemicals such as biguanides (poly(hexamethylene) biguanide hydrochloride (PHMB) Arch Chemical), 2, 4,4′-Trichloro-2-hydroxyl-dipenylether (Tinosan, Ciba); diphenyl ether(bis-phenyl) derivatives known as either 2, 4, 4′-trichloro-2′ hydroxydipenyl ether or 5-chloro-2-(2, 4-dichlorophenoxyl) phenol; triclosan;silver; and copper. The cleaning solution may be an allergen sequestrantthat may be a charged or mixed charged particle or nanoparticle. Mostallergy proteins are glycoproteins (proteins that containcovalently-bound oligosaccharides), so a negative charge may be betterthen predominance of positive charges on the particles, although mixedcharges may be preferred. Clays or modified clays work in this respect.Examples of suitable allergen sequestrants include plant lectins with anaffinity for N-acetylgalactosamine such as jacalin, peanut, and soybean,where the lectins both bind allergens and are bound to the web, thusremoving allergens from a surface. The cleaning solution may alsoinclude a fragrance. The cleaning solution may also include a pheromoneto either attract or repel an animal.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the active material 28may be both absorbent and act to agglomerate hair and other substances.

The front layer 15 may be a laminate structure including a liquidimpermeable or shape conforming backing material. The backing materialmay coincide with the capture material 26, the active material 28, orboth. The backing material may be SBL as described above, or may be anyother suitable material.

The cleaning device 10 also includes a backing layer 20. The backinglayer 20 is preferably of the same general size and shape of the frontlayer 15, although the size and/or shape of the backing layer 20 may beselected to be different from the size and/or shape of the front layer15 based on the intended use of the cleaning device 10. The backinglayer 20 has a perimetric edge 30 extending around the perimeter of thebacking layer 20.

The backing layer 20 may be manufactured from any suitable nonwoven orwoven material, including, for example, paper tissue. The backing layer20 may also be manufactured from an elastomeric material to allow for amore snug fit on the user's hand.

In an alternative aspect of the present invention, the backing layer 20is also a working layer and manufactured under any of the aspects of thepresent invention described above for the front layer 15. In the case ofthe backing layer 20 as a working layer, the backing layer 20 may bemanufactured from a different capture material than is used for thefront layer 15. For example, the capture material of the backing layer20 may include hooks that are larger than the hooks of the capturematerial of the front layer 15 to accommodate different cleaning needs.

In an alternative aspect of the present invention, one or both of thefront and backing layers 15, 20 may be breathable to allow air tocirculate through the device 10.

The front layer 15 is coupled to the backing layer 20. One of the frontand backing layers 15, 20 is positioned to overlie the other of thefront and backing layers 15, 20, such that the perimetric edges 25, 30of the front and backing layers 15, 20 generally align. A portion of theperimetric edge 25 of the front layer 15 is attached to the perimetricedge 30 of the backing layer 20 to form a seam 35. The seam 35 formedmay be at the perimetric edges 25, 30, or the seam 35 may be adjacent orinward from the perimetric edges 25, 30. The perimetric edges 25, 30 maybe attached by adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, heating, sewing, or by anyother suitable method.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the active and capture materials 28, 26define a use direction 60 indicating the direction in which the device10 should be used. The use direction 60 extends from the capturematerial 26 to the active material 28, indicating that, in use, thedevice 10 should be moved in the use direction 60 such that the activematerial 28 contacts the surface prior to the capture material 26contacting the surface. In other words, the use direction 60 can beenvisioned as extending from the trailing edge 32 to the leading edge31. The use direction 60 may be indicated by indicia 62 on the device10. The indicia 62 may be words, symbols, or other suitable visualindication of the use direction 60. The indicia 62 may be printed,embossed, or otherwise established on the device 10, and the indicia 62may be established on the front layer 15, the backing layer 20, on anyother structure or edge, or on a tag or label (not shown) attached tothe device 10.

Coupling the front layer 15 to the backing layer 20 forms the device 10with a bag-like structure having an outer surface 40 and an interiorspace 45 with an opening 50. The device 10 may be formed such that theinterior space 45 is sized to accommodate a human hand, finger, orfingers, a cleaning tool, or any other suitable item. Because of thisbag-like design, the device 10 may be turned inside-out by a user suchthat the previous interior space 45 becomes the new outer surface, andthe previous outer surface 40 becomes and defines the new interiorspace. In turning the device 10 inside-out, any detritus captured in thehooks or adhesive on the previous outer surface 40 of the device 10becomes captured within the new interior space of the device 10.

In an alternative aspect of the present invention, the interior space 45may also include capture material and/or adhesive to allow the device 10to be used for cleaning after being turned inside-out.

The device 10 may be manufactured in any dimensions. For example, thedevice 10 as a mitt may be sized to fit best on a child's hand, an adulthand, or may be of a length to cover much of an adult's hand and arm.

The device 10 may be manufactured without a thumb or other directionalor control means. In this aspect of the present invention, pressure froma user's fingers on the seam 35 helps to stabilize the device 10 byhelping to prevent rotation of the device 10 around the user's hand.

In an alternative aspect of the present invention, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the device 10 may include a thumb space 55 sized to accommodatea human thumb. A thumb space 55 helps to stabilize the device 10 in useby helping to prevent rotation of the device 10 around a user's hand. Inanother alternative aspect of the present invention, particularly one onwhich the backing layer 20 is an active layer, the device 10 may also bemanufactured with a second thumb space (not shown) on the opposingperimetric edge 25 of the device 10, such that one thumb space 55 may beused when the front layer 15 is used to collect detritus, and the otherthumb space (not shown) may be used when the backing layer 20 is used tocollect detritus.

In still another alternative aspect of the present invention, asillustrated in FIG. 4, the device 10 may include a finger loop 65 withinthe space. With a finger inserted in the finger loop 65 during use, thefinger loop 65 helps to stabilize the device 10 by helping to preventrotation of the device 10 around a user's hand. The finger loop 65 maybe formed from any suitable material including the nonwoven describedabove, and may be formed with either the front or backing layers 15, 20,or formed independently of the front and backing layers 15, 20. Thefinger loop 65 may be attached to either of the front or backing layers15, 20, or the finger loop 65 may be attached to the device 10 inconjunction with coupling the front layer 15 to the backing layer 20.The finger loop 65 may assist a user in turning the device 10 inside-outby grasping the finger loop 65 and pulling.

In yet another alternative aspect of the present invention, asillustrated in FIG. 5, the device 10 may include a finger slit 70appropriately positioned in the front layer 15, backing layer 20,between the front and backing layers 15, 20, or in both the front andbacking layers 15, 20. With a finger or thumb inserted through thefinger slit 70 during use, the finger slit 70 helps to stabilize thedevice 10 by helping to prevent rotation of the device 10 around auser's hand. In another aspect of the present invention, the finger slit70 may be positioned parallel to and adjacent to the perimetric edge 25of the front layer 15, or the perimetric edge 30 of the backing layer20.

In yet another alternative aspect of the present invention, asillustrated in FIG. 6, the device 10 may include a line 75 of stitching,glue, or other suitable means to define a finger space 80 within theinterior space 45 to help prevent rotation of the device 10 around auser's hand.

The opening 50 of the device 10 may include a sealing mechanism 85 (seeFIG. 4) to allow the opening 50 to be closed. The sealing mechanism 85may be hook material, adhesive, a zipper-like mechanism, or any othersuitable sealing mechanism. In turning the device 10 inside-out andcapturing any detritus within the interior space 45 of the device 10,the sealing mechanism 85 can then be used to ensure that the detritusremains within the interior space 45 for disposal without mess.

By virtues of the design and materials chosen for the device 10, thedevice 10 is preferably designed to be disposable. In this case,disposable means that the device 10 is disposed of, rather than cleaned,after use.

In an alternative aspect of the present invention, the active material28 and the backing layer 20 are two portions of the same piece ofmaterial. One of the active material 28 and the backing layer 20 isfolded over the other of the active material 28 and the backing layer20, and a portion of the perimetric edges 25, 30 are coupled by anymeans described herein to form the device 10.

In another aspect of the present invention shown in FIG. 7, the backinglayer 20 may be a strap 90 attached to the front layer 15 at oppositeperimetric edges 25 of the front layer 15. The strap 90 may be formedfrom SBL or any other suitable nonwoven or woven material.

The cleaning devices 10 may be packaged individual for portability ormay be packaged with more than one in a package. Each cleaning device 10within a package may be separated from the other cleaning devices 10 ina package by any suitable material.

In use of the device 10 as a mitt, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, when auser recognizes a need for collecting detritus from and cleaning asurface, the user selects and situates the device 10 on the user's hand.The user then rubs the surface with the user's hand in the device 10,allowing the hooks and absorbent of the front layer 15 to capture dirtand detritus. The user may contact the surface first with the activematerial 28 to either absorb liquids, to wash dirt, and/or to ball upany hair or related materials, and then contact the same surface withthe capture material 26 to collect the hair and related materials. Theuser then removes the device 10, turns the device 10 inside-out, therebycapturing the dirt and detritus within the inside-out device 10. Theuser may then seal the device 10 if the device 10 is equipped with asealing mechanism 85. With or without sealing the device 10, the userthen disposes of the device 10 and along with it the dirt and detritus.

In other words, a user may clean a surface by situating the cleaningdevice 10 on the user's hand and then moving the cleaning device 10along the surface, wherein the user positions the cleaning device 10 ata first angle such that only the active material 28 contacts thesurface. The user then rotates the cleaning device 10 to reposition thecleaning device 10 to a second angle, and moves the cleaning device 10along the surface such that only the capture material 26 contacts thesurface.

In use of the device 10 as a cover for a cleaning tool 95, asillustrated in FIG. 8, 10 when a user recognizes a need for collectingdetritus and cleaning, the user selects an appropriate device 10 andsituates the device 10 over the cleaning tool 95. The user then rubs asurface with the cleaning tool 95 in the device 10, allowing the hooksand/or absorbent of the front layer 15 to clean and/or capture detritus.The user may contact the surface first with the active material 28 toeither absorb liquids, to wash dirt, and/or to ball up any hair orrelated materials, and then contact the same surface with the capturematerial 26 to collect the hair and related materials. The user thenremoves the device 10, turning the device 10 inside-out, and capturingthe dirt and detritus within the inside-out device 10. The user may thenseal the device 10 if the device 10 is equipped with a sealingmechanism. In this case, the device 10 may also be equipped with asecond sealing mechanism (not shown) to allow the device 10 to be sealedduring use to enclose the cleaning tool 95. With or without sealing thedevice 10, the user then disposes of the device 10 and along with it thedirt and detritus.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent to those skilled in the art in view of the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings.

The invention has been described with reference to various specific andillustrative aspects and techniques. However, it should be understoodthat many variations and modifications may be made while remainingwithin the spirit and scope of the invention. Many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this inventionis intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, andvariations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.We claim:

1. A cleaning device comprising: a front layer including a capturematerial, an active material adjacent the capture material, a junctureline where the capture material joins the active material, and a frontlayer perimetric edge; and a backing layer having a backing layerperimetric edge, wherein at least a portion of the backing layerperimetric edge is coupled to the front layer perimetric edge such thatthe front and backing layers define an interior space that is at leastpartially enclosed.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the capturematerial is hook material.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the capturematerial is a micro-hook material.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein thecapture material is positioned substantially on one side of the junctureline, and the active material is positioned substantially on anotherside of the juncture line.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the capturematerial is positioned entirely on one side of the juncture line, andthe active material is positioned entirely on another side of thejuncture line.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the front layer furthercomprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein the capture material ispositioned on one side of the longitudinal axis.
 7. The device of claim1, wherein the juncture line is parallel to the longitudinal axis. 8.The device of claim 1, further comprising a closed end, wherein thecapture material intersects the longitudinal axis adjacent the closedend.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the active material is absorbent.10. The device of claim 1, wherein the active material is ahigh-friction material.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the activematerial is a laminate with elastomeric properties.
 12. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the active material includes a cleaning solution. 13.The device of claim 1, wherein the active material includes a stainguard.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the active material includes adeodorant.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the active materialincludes an antimicrobial.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the activematerial includes an allergen sequestrant.
 17. The device of claim 1,wherein the active material includes a silicone material.
 18. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the front layer is a laminate including a liquidimpermeable material.
 19. The device of claim 1, wherein the device issized to encompass four fingers of a human hand.
 20. The device of claim1, wherein the device is sized to encompass a human hand.
 21. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the device is sized to encompass a human finger. 22.The device of claim 1, further comprising a thumb space extending fromthe front layer perimetric edge.
 23. The device of claim 1, furtherincluding a finger loop attached to one of the front and backing layers.24. The device of claim 23, wherein the finger loop is attached withinthe space.
 25. The device of claim 1, further comprising a thumbopening.
 26. The device of claim 1, the backing layer including anonwoven material.
 27. The device of claim 1, the backing layerincluding an elastomeric material.
 28. The device of claim 1, thebacking layer including a micro-hook material.
 29. The device of claim1, wherein the front layer is coupled to the backing layer usingadhesive.
 30. The device of claim 1, wherein the front layer is coupledto the backing layer using ultrasonic bonding.
 31. The device of claim1, wherein the front layer is coupled to the backing layer by sewing.32. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sealing mechanism. 33.The device of claim 32, wherein the sealing mechanism uses hookmaterial.
 34. The device of claim 32, wherein the sealing mechanism is azipper-like device.
 35. The device of claim 32, wherein the sealingmechanism is an adhesive.
 36. The device of claim 1, wherein the deviceis disposable.
 37. The device of claim 1, wherein the active materialand the backing layer are one piece of the same material, and whereinone of the active material and the backing layer is folded over theother of the active material and the backing layer.
 38. A method forcleaning a surface, the method comprising: situating a cleaning devicehaving a front layer including a capture material, an active materialadjacent the capture material, a juncture line where the capturematerial joins the active material, and a front layer perimetric edge,and a backing layer having a backing layer perimetric edge, wherein atleast a portion of the backing layer perimetric edge is coupled to thefront layer perimetric edge such that the front and backing layersdefine an interior space that is at least partially enclosed; and movingthe cleaning device along the surface such that the capture and activematerials both contact the surface.
 39. The method of claim 38, whereinthe moving act further includes moving the cleaning device along thesurface such that the active material contacts the surface first, andthe capture material contacts the surface second.
 40. The method ofclaim 38, further comprising turning the cleaning device inside-out. 41.The method of claim 38, further comprising sealing the cleaning deviceand disposing of the cleaning device.
 42. The method of claim 38,wherein the situating act includes situating the cleaning device suchthat the front layer is adjacent a user's palm.
 43. A cleaning devicecomprising: a front layer including a capture material, an activematerial adjacent the capture material, a leading edge, and a trailingedge, wherein the active material is positioned adjacent the leadingedge, and wherein the capture material is positioned adjacent thetrailing edge; and a backing layer having a backing layer perimetricedge, wherein at least a portion of the backing layer perimetric edge iscoupled to the leading and trailing edges such that the front andbacking layers define an interior space that is at least partiallyenclosed.
 44. The device of claim 43, further comprising a use directiondefined by the active and capture materials as extending from thecapture material to the active material.
 45. The device of claim 44,further comprising indicia indicating the use direction.
 46. A methodfor cleaning a surface, the method comprising: situating a cleaningdevice having a front layer including a capture material, an activematerial adjacent the capture material, a leading edge, and a trailingedge, wherein the active material is positioned adjacent the leadingedge, and wherein the capture material is positioned adjacent thetrailing edge; and a backing layer having a backing layer perimetricedge, wherein at least a portion of the backing layer perimetric edge iscoupled to the leading and trailing edges such that the front andbacking layers define an interior space that is at least partiallyenclosed; agglomerating detritus by moving the cleaning device along thesurface such that the active material contacts the surface; andcollecting the agglomerated detritus by moving the cleaning device alongthe surface such that the capture material contacts the surface.
 47. Themethod of claim 45, further comprising disposing of the cleaning device.48. The method of claim 45, further comprising coupling the cleaningdevice to a handle.
 49. A cleaning device comprising: a front layerincluding a capture material and an active material adjacent the capturematerial, wherein the front layer has a juncture line where the capturematerial adjoins the active material and a front layer perimetric edge,wherein the front layer is a laminate including a liquid impermeablematerial, wherein the capture material is hook material positionedsubstantially on one side of the juncture line, and wherein the activematerial is positioned substantially on another side of the junctureline; a backing layer having a backing layer perimetric edge, andwherein at least a portion of the backing layer perimetric edge iscoupled to the front layer perimetric edge such that the front andbacking layers define an interior space that is at least partiallyenclosed, the interior space having an open end; and a sealing mechanismpositioned adjacent the open end.